Abstract:
A multi-column scanning electron microscopy (SEM) system is disclosed. The SEM system includes a source assembly. The source assembly includes two or more electron beam sources configured to generate a plurality of electron beams. The source assembly also includes two or more sets of positioners configured to actuate the two or more electron beam sources. The SEM system also includes a column assembly. The column assembly includes a plurality of substrate arrays. The column assembly also includes two or more electron-optical columns formed by a set of column electron-optical elements bonded to the plurality of substrate arrays. The SEM system also includes a stage configured to secure a sample that at least one of emits or scatters electrons in response to the plurality of electron beams directed by the two or more electron-optical columns to the sample.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a magnetic adjustment lens (116) positioned at the electron beam path between the electron source (102) and sample (124), the magnetic adjustment lens excited by an electric coil, and a permanent magnet lens (118) positioned below the magnetic adjustment lens to focus the electron beam onto the sample surface, the permanent magnet lens excited by one or more permanent ring magnets enclosed except on a bottom surface by a magnetic field conductor. The magnetic adjustment lens may be excited to eliminate magnetic field leakage of the permanent magnet lens.
Abstract:
A system and method for rapidly processing a specimen. The method includes generating a plurality of charged-particle beams travelling substantially along respective axes of an array of charged-particle beam columns by providing each beam column with two permanent magnets having at least one magnetic dipole disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis. The trajectory of the beams is independently controlled and the beam is focussed onto the specimen using additional correctional coils. The beams are deflected while maintaining incidence of the beam on the specimen parallel to the axis. Preferably, the charged particle beams include non-crossover charged particle beams. Preferably, the method further includes detecting charged particles scattered from the specimen using a detector at least partially immersed in a magnetic field, by utilizing at least in part the magnetic field.
Abstract:
A multi-column electron beam exposure apparatus includes: multiple column cells; an electron beam converging unit in which two annular permanent magnets and electromagnetic coils are surrounded by a ferromagnetic frame, each of the two annular permanent magnets being magnetized in an optical axis direction and being symmetrical about the optical axis, the electromagnetic coils disposed near the annular permanent magnets and used to adjust magnetic fields of the annular permanent magnets; and a substrate provided with circular apertures through which electron beams used in the column cells pass, respectively, the substrate having the electron beam converging unit disposed in a side portion of each of the circular apertures. The two annular permanent magnets may be disposed one above the other in the optical axis direction with same polarities facing each other, and the electromagnetic coils may be provided inside or outside the annular permanent magnets in their radial direction.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is an electron column using a magnetic lens layer. The electron column includes a magnetic lens layer for condensing an electron beam using permanent magnets. The magnetic lens layer includes a support plate, an aperture formed through the support plate, and permanent magnets arranged around the aperture and disposed on or inserted into the support plate.
Abstract:
An electron beam source (Fig 1) for use in an electron gun The electron beam source (10) includes an emitter (14) terminating in a ti The emitter is configured to generate an electron beam The electron beam source (10) further includes a suppressor electrode (16) laterally surrounding the emitter (14) such that the tip of the emitter protrudes through the suppressor electrode (16) and an extractor electrode (24) disposed adjacent the tip of the emitter (14) The extractor electrode (24) compπses a magnetic disk (100) whose magnetic field is aligned with an axis of the electron beam